Google awarded patent for alternative unlocking patterns in Android

     Android users have enjoyed quick access to frequently-used apps via the lock screen for some time. This allows you to pop into any given app in a few taps as possible – granted you don’t have a pattern lock on your phone. Users that value personal security on their handset aren’t afforded the convenience of quick-launching apps but that could change in the near future based on a new patent awarded to Google.

      The patent in question would allow Android users to set a unique pattern lock for specific apps to allow them to quick-launch said apps. For example, a general pattern lock would be used to take a user to the home screen while several other patterns would be utilized to launch the Facebook app, Angry Birds, Twitter, etc.

    It’s unclear, however, whether the feature would allow a user to load just a specific app with a specific pattern or if someone could back out of a game or app and return to the home screen without having to enter the “master” pattern. Keeping up with multiple patterns shouldn't be an issue either as the feature would show unlock options for apps on the last node of a pattern as highlighted in the graphic above.

When or if the feature ever makes it into a public version of Android remains to be seen. Considering Android 4.3 still uses the conventional pattern lock method, it’s clear that Google is in no big hurry to implement it. Perhaps it’ll come with Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie?

Is desktop.ini file a virus?

   Desktop.ini is a Windows XP system file. It stores information about customized folders.
Anyone who has customized a display of any folder, perhaps by changing the icon or the way something is displayed, may have enabled Windows to save those settings in a "desktop.ini" file.
However, viruses have been known to hide there, even change their name to Desktop.Ini.
The desktop.ini file is a hidden file used to customize and adjust settings for the Windows folders that contain the file.

Can it be deleted?

This file can be safely deleted from any directory.  However, because this file may have settings associated with the folder that it contains and deleting this file will change these settings back to default. For example, if the folder containing this file has a different icon and you delete this file the default folder icon will be re-enabled.

Is this file a virus?

No. By default this file is not a virus. However, there have been a few known viruses that exploit the capabilities of the desktop.ini file. So it can be infected or if created by another program may have attributes that may compromise your computer. If you're concerned about this file being a virus, scan the file with an antivirus program.

How to Install Spring Plugin in Eclipse

 posted by sivakumar sundaramurthi 

The Spring Framework contains many useful tools and plugins for a developer using Java. It is popularly used in conjunction with the Eclipse IDE for rapid, effective Java development. In order to use Spring with Eclipse, one must either download a specialized version of Eclipse which comes pre-integrated with Spring or install the Spring software in an existing version of Eclipse. This tech-recipe will guide you through the latter.

1.In the Eclipse IDE, navigate through the Help menu in order to Install New Software.

2.In the Eclipse IDE, click the Add button in order to add the new software repository location for Spring.

3.Choose an appropriate name (e.g., Spring Plugin), and enter it into the Name field. Paste the following repository location into the Location field: http://dist.springsource.com/snapshot/TOOLS/composite/e3.7. Click OK. Please note that this repository location is for Eclipse version 3.7, but guides exist for other versions as well.

4.In the resulting plugin list, choose all required list elements and optional items that you may wish to install. Click Next.

5.For each item chosen in the drop-down list, you may review the details of the software to be installed. Do this if you choose, and then click Next.

6.Read and accept the licensing terms. Click Finish.

7.You will be prompted with an Installing Software progress bar. It is necessary to wait for this installation operation to complete in order to use the Spring plugin. If you would like to do other work while waiting for the installation, you may click the Run in Background button.

8.After the software installation is complete, it is necessary to restart Eclipse. When prompted, choose Yes.

9.You should now be able to view the Spring perspective in Eclipse and start developing Spring applications.

iOS 7 beta 4 code 'confirms' fingerprint sensor in new iPhone

Looks like rumours of a new iPhone with a fingerprint sensor might finally turn out to be true, going by close analysis of the latest beta of iOS 7.

"Photo of a person holding an iPhone with their left hand while touching the Home button with their thumb 
Photo of a person holding an iPhone with their right hand while touching the Home button with their thumb 
A fingerprint that changes colour during the setup process. 
Recognition is %@ complete"

The string indicates that the fingerprint sensor would most likely be present on the iPhone's Home button and it's likely that it would be deployed in the unlocking mechanism of the phone.

Previous reports had indicated that Apple had selected Taiwanese chip maker Chipbond for sourcing a number of components for the iPhone 5S, including the touch display driver and hardware to support fingerprint sensor and near field communications (NFC) functionality. The report suggested that Apple would integrate the fingerprint sensor with NFC driven mobile payments to strengthen security, which remains a major concern for the company.

Apple had acquired mobile security firm AuthenTec, last year, in a deal valued at about $356 million. AuthenTec makes security software and chips including chips for fingerprint recognition and near-field communication (NFC) for mobile phones that it licenses to companies like Samsung. After the deal, analysts and tech pundits have been expecting Apple to use the technology in its next generation iPhone. Another report had pointed out to the company's notice to its customers saying that it won't offer its technology to them starting 2013.

While the Apple iPhone 5 was also rumoured to support NFC before its launch, the company did not include it. It does support mobile payments via Passbook, Apple's software-based wallet. 

Earlier, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had also claimed in his new research report that the Apple iPhone 5S would have a fingerprint reader under the Home button for security.

Meanwhile, the iOS 7 beta 4 brings several performance, usability and cosmetic changes. In terms of UI changes, the beta fixes the position of the 'slide to unlock' arrow in the lock screen, brings new buttons to the dialler and call answer screens, a Cancel option in universal search (Spotlight) interface, ability to swipe between different sections in Notification Center, visual tweaks in Safari and Mail apps, tweaked filters UI and HDR button in the Camera app, new Airplay icons, and improved transparency and animations in folders.

Usability wise, the new beta supports unlimited apps in the multitasking view, faster Compass calibration, new sound alert for AirDrop, Siri Q&A feature, new resolution switch in the iPad while running iPhone apps, ability to shuffle all songs in the Music app, and search functionality in Reminders app, amongst other changes.

Nokia schedules event for September 26-27, could announce Windows tablet: Report

It looks like Nokia is gearing up to host an event in New York (US) in September.

Windows Phone focused website, WP Central, reports that it has learnt that the Finnish handset giant is hosting an event on September 26-27, in the Big Apple, though it's not clear if it's a public press event or an internal meet. The site has also posted a screenshot of what appears to be an online registration screen for the event.

While the company had earlier launched some of its flagship phones, including the recently released Nokia 1020, it's also possible that Nokia could unveil a Windows powered tablet, which it has been rumoured to be working on.

The site also claims it had received a description for the Nokia tablet that suggests a Nokia Lumia phones like design with "bright colours and rounded corners". The rumoured tablet is expected to feature an 11-inch display.

On Wednesday, Nokia's new Windows tablet was spotted in benchmark results. We reported that a device dubbed as RX-114 popped up on graphics processor benchmarking website GFXBench.

The benchmark results suggested that the alleged Nokia RX-114 tablet would be powered by a quad-core processor with Adreno 330 GPU graphics processor. The device is expected to run Windows RT.

However, not much has been revealed in terms of hardware specifications including RAM, internal storage, camera and battery at this point in time.

Earlier this month we also reported about Nokia's Windows RT tablet, which was apparently cancelled. Interestingly, pictures of the alleged tablet also appeared on the Internet.

A leaked purported picture of what appeared to be a 10-inch tablet running Windows RT was also revealed.

How to Change the Title of Your Blogger Blog.Instructions

1. Log in to your blog on Blogger.com. Find the "dashboard," which lists your current blogs and latest posts. You can manage all of your Blogger blogs from the dashboard.
2. Click on "Settings" in the main information box on the left side of the dashboard page.
3. Type in your new title. Make it interesting, personal and dynamic. Think of the title as an ad for your blog, the first thing potential readers will see. For instance, "Sally's Page" is not as interesting as "The Sally Saga."
4. Check your new title for spelling errors before you post. Make sure that it appears exactly as you want it to.
5. Scroll to the bottom and click "Save Settings" to save your blog's new title.

Tips & Warnings

• Share your blog with family and friends, and look at other blogs for ideas to update yours.
• Change your title only if you can improve it or if you want to completely change the content of your blog. Stay consistent so that you don't confuse your following.

Chromecast expected to support HBO Go, Pandora, Songza, Vimeo:

Google introduced Chromecast last week as an easy to-use solution to beam videos from your mobile device or computer directly to your television. The $35 price point proved to be a hit among consumers as it quickly sold out on
Amazon, Best Buy and Google Play although some may have hurriedly overlooked the simple fact that the dongle currently only works with video from Google Play, Netflix, youtube or a Chrome tab.

Other app developers that want their content to work with Chromecast will have to enable support for it and there’s little doubt we will see a lot of that in the coming weeks and months. Vimeo’s VP of mobile Nick Alt recently said his company is excited about the emerging opportunities bridging mobile to connected TV and looks forward to offering Chromecast support in their products.

Along those same lines, we are also hearing that Verizon and Redbox are planning to implement Chromecast support with their Instant service while Plex is also reportedly investigating support.

Several other apps are also undergoing Chromecast testing. GTV Hacker uncovered data within the device’s software that points to internal testing for HBO Go, Revision3 and Songza in addition to the current app lineup. We also know at this point that Pandora will be heading to the platform.

Unfortunately there’s no real way to know exactly when Chromecast will spread its wings and become a more versatile device. Either way, however, it’s off to a solid start. Now if Google can just get more units in stock…